Overview
Home education is a parent-directed approach to educating a student in Grades 1 to 12 at home or elsewhere in which they are responsible for making all education decisions.
Parents choose curriculum resources and methodology consistent with their family’s beliefs and consistent with the Home Education Regulation.
A parent or guardian may choose 1 of 2 home education programs:
- Supervised by school authority (funded): a home education program supervised by a willing public, separate or francophone school board or accredited funded private school. Eligible for funding from Alberta Education.
- Not supervised by school authority (notification only, non-funded): a home education program not supervised by a school board or accredited funded private school. Not eligible for funding from Alberta Education.
Parents looking to start or refine a home education program should refer to the Home Education Handbook.
The handbook includes information on:
- planning the child’s education program
- understanding legal rights and responsibilities
- following through with a home education plan
- planning supports and services
- ending a home education program
- planning for transitions
Home education program supervised by school authority (funded)
Parental responsibilities
Each year, parents have the responsibility to notify their supervising school authority of their intent to home educate their child through the Home Education Notification Form – Supervised by School Authority.
A parent may start a home education program at any time but should consider looking for a supervising school authority in the spring before the upcoming school year. This timing helps parents explore their options and make a decision that best supports the needs of the student.
Parents choosing home education have the primary responsibility for planning, managing, providing, evaluating and supervising their children’s courses of study. They must develop a home education program that enables the student to achieve appropriate learning outcomes.
School authority responsibilities
When a parent has chosen to provide a home education program with the supervision of a school authority, the supervising school authority that accepts the parents’ home education program is called the associate board or associate private school.
If a parent requests it, the associate board or associate private school must provide assistance and advice to improve student learning.
The associate board or associate private school must also arrange for certificated teachers employed by the associate board or associate private school to conduct at least two formal evaluations of each student each school year.
These evaluations include:
- a review of the student portfolio
- recommendations to help students make improvements
Together with the parents, the associate school board or associate private school must ensure that each student meets the parents’ educational outcomes in accordance with the Home Education Regulation.
Funding considerations
In order to receive their portion (50%) of the home education grant, if a parent has chosen to home educate with a supervising school authority, the parent must have notified and been accepted by an associate board or associate private school regarding the home education program before September 30.
Students are not eligible for funding if a home education program is accepted after September 29. This includes situations where a student changes from an online or regular program to home education after September 29.
Submissions for reimbursement and the supervising authorities' approvals must be consistent with the Home Education Regulation. To determine whether a cost or expense is reimbursable, an associate board or associate private school may refer to the Standards for Home Education Reimbursement.
School authorities are not permitted to provide funding to students or families if the student is enrolled in an online or regular school program.
Home education kindergarten pilot
Alberta’s government is launching a home education kindergarten pilot for the duration of the 2023-24 school year. Feedback from this pilot will inform potential future legislative changes to support a permanent home education kindergarten program.
Parents or guardians interested in pursuing home education kindergarten are encouraged to seek out a supervising school authority and register with them before September 29, 2023 (see above info).
The supervising school authority and legal guardians of the children will each be eligible for $450.50 per child. Most kindergarten programs are provided on a half-day basis, so this rate is half of the full-day rate for home education for other grades.
Eligibility
To be eligible for funding, kindergarten students must be:
- at least four years and eight months old, and no older than six on September 1 of the year they are to start kindergarten
- a resident of Alberta
- registered with a supervising school authority before September 29
Connect with Alberta Education's Field Services branches for more information.
Home education program not supervised by school authority (notification only, non-funded)
Parental responsibilities
Each year, parents have the responsibility to notify the Minister of Education of their intent to home educate their child. There are two available options including the Home Education Notification Form – Not Supervised by School Authority or through an online form in the Provincial Approach to Student Information (PASI) accessible in myPass.
Parents choosing home education have the responsibility for planning, managing, providing, evaluating and supervising their children’s courses of study. They must develop a home education program that enables the student to achieve appropriate learning outcomes, but are not required to submit this program plan to the Minister of Education.
Funding considerations
Parents choosing to home educate their children without the supervision of a school authority are not eligible to receive any Alberta Education funding.
Resources
Specialized supports and services for home education
Home education students who have an identified need for additional supports for their education program now have access services from professionals, including speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists and behaviour specialists.
Learn more or apply for learner supports.
Forms
PDF form issues
Fillable PDF forms do not open properly on some mobile devices and web browsers. To fill in and save the form:
- Save the PDF form to your computer – click or right-click the link and download the form.
- Open the PDF form with Adobe Reader. Fill it in and save it.
If you are still having problems opening the form, contact PDF form technical support.
- Home Education Notification Form – Supervised by School Authority
- Home Education Notification Form – Not Supervised by School Authority
- Transfer of Parental Portion – Declaration Form 2022-23
- Transfer of Parental Portion – Declaration Form 2023-24
Parents have up to two years to access the parental portion of home education funding. When selecting a Transfer of Parental Portion – Declaration Form ensure that the form being used is for the same school year that the funding relates to. A separate form must be signed for each school year that a parent chooses to transfer any portion of their funding to the home education provider.
Contact
Connect with Alberta Education's Field Services branches:
Phone: 780-427-6272
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)